manipulado
/manipuˈlado/
The Spanish word for tampered is manipulado.
manipulado is used to describe something that has been secretly changed or damaged in a way that makes it unsafe or ineffective. Depending on the context, it can also refer to something being manipulated in a psychological or social sense.
Which one should you use?
While manipulado can refer to being tampered with in a technical or fraudulent sense, it can also mean being manipulated in a social or psychological context. For a formal synonym, you may use alterado.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the slang term mangoneado is used to describe something that has been tampered with, manipulated or messed with.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use manipulada for feminine singular nouns, manipulados for masculine plural nouns and manipuladas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /manipuˈlado/.
Did you know?
- While manipulado describes the state of the object, Spanish speakers often use the verb meter mano (to put a hand in) to idiomatically describe the act of tampering with something.
- In Spanish, the word manipulado is frequently used in sports and politics to describe 'fixed' results or rigged elections, whereas English often uses 'tampered' specifically for physical objects.
- In legal contexts, Spanish differentiates between manipulado and adulterado, where the latter is used specifically for tampered food, drugs or medicines that have been diluted.
Examples in context
- El documento ha sido manipulado antes de su presentación.The document has been tampered with before its submission.
- Los sellos han sido alterados, lo que indica una posible manipulación.The seals have been tampered with, indicating possible tampering.
- La evidencia está viciada y no se puede considerar válida.The evidence is tampered and cannot be considered valid.
- Alguien ha manoseado mi bolso.Someone has tampered with my bag.
- El sello fue manipulado.The seal was tampered with.
- El paquete parece haber sido manipulado.The package looks like it has been tampered with.
- El sello del medicamento fue manipulado.The medicine seal was tampered with.
- No uses ese frasco si ha sido manipulado.Do not use that jar if it has been tampered with.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are inspecting a delivery at their office.
- AlejandroSofía, mira este frasco de vidrio.Sofía, look at this glass jar.
- SofíaParece que el contenido ha sido manipulado.It looks like the contents have been tampered with.
- AlejandroTienes razón, la tapa está floja.You are right, the lid is loose.
- SofíaNo lo abras, Alejandro.Do not open it, Alejandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry manipulado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
